Vlaams energiebedrijf (VEB) - 'Flemish Energy Company'
About this good practice
VEB acts as a purchasing centre for 100% green energy for organisations in the public sector and energy efficiency services. Through placing the public tender, performing the public tender, paying the invoices.
VEB also offers support in Energy supply contracting (ESCO).
Public authorities profit of VEB’s expertise in these complex matters, scale advantage, solid legal contracts, administrative unburdening, quality checks and all in good faith, since this is a governmental company.
Thanks to its expertise and approach, VEB can tackle any energy issue while the government organisations can focus on their core task (care, education, etc.).
Lowering the threshold for public authorities, means the demand for green solutions grows.
Expert opinion
By using their purchasing power to choose goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact, governments can make an important contribution towards sustainability goals. Energy is one of the main impact sectors for local and regional governments. The European Commission defines Green Public Procurement (GPP) as "a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured." Green public procurement can be a major driver for innovation, incentivising the industry to develop more sustainable products and services. It may provide financial savings for public authorities and help them to become an example in a transition to a low-carbon and circular economy. This good practice is an excellent example of an institutional innovation. VEB was established with an aim to support public institutions’ shift to sustainable energy production. The practice may be of interest to other European governments who wish to procure sustainable electricity.
Resources needed
Since the number of customers grew exponentially and we offer more and more services, human resources
Evidence of success
Both public organizations with a large or a small portfolio opt for VEB. From central government to social housing, they are all satisfied with the extra services that VEB offers. Moreover, they are very pleased that they can work together with a reliable partner on their energy issues.
Potential for learning or transfer
The services that VEB offers are solely focused and tailored to governments. VEB's way of working contributes to making governments more efficient and simplifying their processes. With VEB, the expertise on energy does not remain fragmented throughout the government, there is one expertise centre. VEB intends to provide all its expertise on energy. In this way, governments can invest more time and energy in their core tasks and become more efficient and stronger.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
VEB